English Grammar – Spot the error (choose the erroneous segment or ‘‘No error’’). Sentence: No sooner the plane landed at the airport than a group of armed commandos surrounded it.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: No sooner the plane landed

Explanation:

Introduction / Context:This item checks the fixed correlative structure “No sooner … than …” which requires inversion with the auxiliary “had” (or “did” in present). The absence of inversion after “No sooner” is the error.

Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Opening adverbial: “No sooner …”.
  • Past perfect context implied (one action immediately followed another).
  • Current faulty clause: “No sooner the plane landed …”.

Concept / Approach:Correct patterns:

  • No sooner had + subject + past participle … than …
  • No sooner did + subject + base verb … than … (less common; present narrative)

Therefore, we need “No sooner had the plane landed than …”.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Insert auxiliary and invert: “had the plane landed”.Keep “than” to introduce the second clause.Correct sentence: “No sooner had the plane landed at the airport than a group of armed commandos surrounded it.”

Verification / Alternative check:Use the sister structure: “Hardly/Scarcely had the plane landed when …”. This confirms that “than” belongs with “No sooner …”.

Why Other Options Are Wrong/Acceptable:

  • B is fine once A is corrected.
  • C and D are grammatically fine noun/verb phrases.
  • E is invalid because an error exists in A.

Common Pitfalls:Forgetting auxiliary inversion after negative/limiting adverbs; mixing “No sooner … than …” with “Hardly/Scarcely … when …”.

Final Answer:No sooner the plane landed

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